JAMAICA, NY— York College junior center Marcel Esonwune picked up another award today and this one was the most prestigious. Esonwune was named to National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-America First-Team.
Esonwune becomes the first York College men’s basketball player to be named an All-American since Nathan Reeves was selected in 1997. Reeves is still with the program as an assistant coach.
He was also selected as the NABC Atlantic Regional Player of the Year. It is the third player of the year award he’s earned this week. He was named the ECAC Metro Region Player of the Year on Wednesday and the D3hoops.com Atlantic Region Player of the Year on Tuesday.
Esonwune had a breakout year during the 2009-10 campaign. He finished the season as the nation’s leading shot blocker, averaging 4.2 blocks per game. Esonwune also ranked second in the country in rebounding, averaging 14.8 boards per game, and was fifth in the CUNYAC in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game. In addition, he recorded double-doubles in 26 games and triple-doubles in three games.
He led the Cardinals to the finals of both the CUNYAC Championship and the ECAC Championship. The Cardinals came up short in both title games but they finished with a school record of 23 wins. Esonwune was also named the CUNYAC Player of the Year.
“Marcel is one of the most exciting players I have ever coached,” said York head coach Ronald St. John. “His work ethic has allowed him to reach great heights. To have him achieve such honors and still have him back for another season is a coach’s dream.”
View the complete All-America Team
View the complete All-District Team